New Delhi: DCNS, the innovative European player in naval defence, is working on submarine-launched anti-aircraft missiles as well as counter-measures against torpedos, unmanned underwater vehicles and attack missiles.
DCNS Managing Director for India Bernard Buissson told India Strategic defence magazine (www.indiastrategic.in) that “counter-measures against torpedoes, unmanned underwater vehicles and attack missiles will be a significant part of future submarines effectiveness and lethality” and that his company invests about 10 percent of its turnover in R&D.
Submarines have the capability to fire cruise missiles but this is the first time perhaps that a company has disclosed development effort of an anti-aircraft missile. DCNS has tied with France-based European missile maker MBDA to develop an anti-aircraft missile for submarines.
Significantly, both the DCNS and MBDA are doing good business with India, with DCNS currently building the Indian Navy’s six Project-75 Scorpene submarinres and MBDA working on various missiles for the Indian Navy and Indian Air Force. DCNS is also set to compete in the next line of six P-75I submarines with air independent prolusion (AIP) for which an RfP is around the corner.
http://missilethreat.com/dcns-developing-sub-launched-anti-aircraft-missile/